Organizers of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations say they hope to create a spirit of activism that lasts beyond the planned 17 events, which begin today.
Mary Desler, assistant vice president for student affairs, said she hopes students go beyond attending the traditional events. She said she also wants them to reflect on the impact King has had on their lives.
“We really started to realize what an impact this person had,” she said. “He just touched everybody.”
Desler organized the “Making It Personal” exhibit at the Multicultural Center, toward which students can submit for display their own stories about what the day means to them.
Stephen Fisher, associate provost for undergraduate education, said he and other members of the MLK Day committee sought to organize events that reinforced King’s message of human dignity and equal rights.
Fisher especially encouraged students to attend the main ceremony, at which the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. will speak.
This also is the first year an Evanston community member will give the keynote address at the annual candlelight vigil, said Timothy Stevens, university chaplain and committee member. The Rev. Michael Curry of the First Church of God Christian Life Center will lead the event, which is in its 22nd year.
Last year, about 1,400 students, faculty and community members attended the MLK Day ceremony or watched it on live feeds across campus.
Students fought for more than a year to have classes canceled for part of the day so more people would attend the day’s events. Classes are canceled again this year from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Among this year’s events:
• Worship service at 11 a.m. today at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary with Gardner C. Taylor, pastor emeritus of Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Michael Eric Dyson, DePaul University’s Ida B. Wells Barnett University Professor, will speak at 7 p.m. today in Fisk Hall, Room 217.
• Taylor will speak at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
• “Making It Personal” exhibit at the Multicultural Center, a collection of reflections about King, runs from Monday through Feb. 2.
• Candlelight service with University President Henry Bienen and keynote speaker the Rev. Michael Curry at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Alice Millar Chapel. Performers include Alice Millar Chapel Choir and NAYO, Northwestern’s black dance troupe.
• 22nd Annual MLK Jr. Memorial Forum at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Alice Millar. Award-winning BET anchor Ed Gordon will speak and there will be performances by the NU Community Ensemble gospel group, pianist Jade Smalls and the Graffiti Dancers.
• MLK Day Observance with keynote speaker the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., founder of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, at 11 a.m. Monday in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. The ceremony will be broadcast live at Coon Forum in Leverone Hall, the Louis Room in Norris University Center and the Ryan Family Auditorium in the Technological Institute. Performers include theater Prof. Rives Collins and soprano and NU alumna Cynthia Haymon. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. A Webcast will be available at www.northwestern.edu/mlk2001.
• Urban Housing Development in Chicago: “Is There Equality in Housing in 2001 and Beyond?” panel discussion at 11:45 a.m. Jan. 16 at NU Law School, Arthur Rubloff Building, Room 150.
• Women’s Coalition meeting to discuss issues of gender, race and sexual preference and to plan events concerning racism in law enforcement at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Women’s Center, 2000 Sheridan Road.
• Panel discussion on economic empowerment in the black community at 11:45 a.m. Jan. 17 at NU Law School, Arthur Rubloff Building, Room 150.
• Forum: “MLK Jr. in Chicago” at 4 p.m. Jan. 17 in Harris Hall 108. Featuring some of King’s associates discussing his 1966 Chicago crusade for racial justice.
• Fireside at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the African-American Student Affairs building, 1914 Sheridan Road. “The Legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.: Dialogue for the New Millennium,” concerning the impact of King’s work and its value in the 21st Century.
• Volunteer Fair from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Norris, Northwestern 1/2 (2E and 2F).
